Finding Hope in a Warming World

 

The High Meadows Environmental Institute hosted a lecture by Katharine Hayhoe, an atmospheric scientist, distinguished professor and endowed chair at Texas Tech University, and chief scientist at The Nature Conservancy. Hayhoe was speaking as part of the HMEI Taplin Environmental Lecture Series.

Climate change is not only a physical crisis driven by greenhouse gas emissions; it is also a highly politicized social challenge that has grown even more divisive this past year alone. And as the inequitable harms from climate impacts escalate and opposition to climate action intensifies, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and powerless.

Drawing on climate science, behavioral science, and real-world examples, Dr. Hayhoe examined why information alone rarely motivates action, and why effective climate engagement must be grounded in our broader social and cultural landscape. She offered practical, evidence-based strategies for communicating accurately and in a way that catalyzes engagement across diverse audiences, connecting what science tells us (“the head”) to what people care about (“the heart”) and to practical, positive solutions (“the hands”).

Ultimately, she made the case for why hope isn’t wishful thinking, but rather a courageous, active choice – one that can empower each of us to contribute to building a more just and resilient future.

Finding Hope in a Warming World

Publish Date

March 17, 2026

Presenter(s)

Katharine Hayhoe

Link to Video

https://youtu.be/CNPYrjl2gLI

Video Length

1:02:15

 

The High Meadows Environmental Institute hosted a lecture by Katharine Hayhoe, an atmospheric scientist, distinguished professor and endowed chair at Texas Tech University, and chief scientist at The Nature Conservancy. Hayhoe was speaking as part of the HMEI Taplin Environmental Lecture Series.

Climate change is not only a physical crisis driven by greenhouse gas emissions; it is also a highly politicized social challenge that has grown even more divisive this past year alone. And as the inequitable harms from climate impacts escalate and opposition to climate action intensifies, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and powerless.

Drawing on climate science, behavioral science, and real-world examples, Dr. Hayhoe examined why information alone rarely motivates action, and why effective climate engagement must be grounded in our broader social and cultural landscape. She offered practical, evidence-based strategies for communicating accurately and in a way that catalyzes engagement across diverse audiences, connecting what science tells us (“the head”) to what people care about (“the heart”) and to practical, positive solutions (“the hands”).

Ultimately, she made the case for why hope isn’t wishful thinking, but rather a courageous, active choice – one that can empower each of us to contribute to building a more just and resilient future.